Principal’s Message
A PRAYER FOR OUR COMMUNITY
Dear God, Creator of all, Lord of all.
We thank you for the people
you have brought together in this beautiful setting, in
this warm community.
Lord, You call us to be holy, loving, accepting;
To show compassion, to encourage and bring out the
best in each other.
Thank you for Your gift of love at
St. Andrew. Help us to be a school community that is
grateful for our gifts.
Help us to be a school community that is growing in
faith. Teach us to live in awe of your wonderful
creations. Help us live the gospel values of compassion
and love through our learning.
Open our hearts and work through us so that we make a
difference in our school and our community
as Jesus, our Lord and Saviour, did.
May all who enter the doors of St. Andrew
be welcomed and accepted as individuals
gathered together to be a true family of
God. We ask this in the name of our
Brother, Your Son, Christ Jesus.
Amen
It is my pleasure on behalf of the entire staff of St.
Andrew Catholic School, to welcome everyone to the
2014 – 2015 school year! We hope you have had a
restful and relaxing summer with your family and
friends.
We look forward to another wonderful year with
many opportunities for learning and growing. We
hope you will feel comfortable and involved with
your child’s learning throughout the year. We
welcome your presence at school, encourage you to
become active partners in the education process,
and invite you to volunteer at the school whenever
possible. By continuing to work together as partners,
we can establish new goals and open new doors that
will further enrich the lives and learning of all
students. As a community, we can take pride in the
accomplishments of all our students and in the many
ways we share our Catholic values.
We welcome our new Vice Principal, Mr. Lise, who
we will share with St. Lucy. We also would like to
welcome Monsieur Murray, our new Extended
French Planning Time Teacher, as well as Mrs. Szuky
and Ms. Ankner, our new DECEs that will be part of
our new Full Day Learning team. We extend our best
wishes to all for a very successful school year; one
filled with new and exciting opportunities and one in
which we can grow together in God’s image. We are
truly blessed to have such a warm and inviting
Catholic school community and we look forward to
meeting you at the Open House/BBQ Night on
Monday, Sept. 22! (Please see attachment for
Barbeque Order Form if interested)
D. LaCute and J.Lise
Together in Faith and Excellence
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School Hours
teacher. A special thank you to our School Council who
have generously supported the purchase of our school
agendas this year.
8:40 a.m. – Yard Supervision begins
8:55 a.m. – Morning Classes begin
10:25 – 10:40 a.m. – Recess Break
12:00 p.m. – Lunch Break begins
1:00 p.m. – Afternoon Classes begin
2:20-2:35 p.m. – Recess Break
3:25 p.m. – Dismissal
Parish News
Reorganization Day –Sept. 12
Based on our current registered students, some of our
class sizes exceed the Ministry of Education’s student/
teacher ratio cap. As a result, there is a strong
possibility that we will be reorganizing. . Please note
that classes from Sept 2-11th are tentative throughout
the province. Final class lists will be in effect on
Monday, Sept. 15th. The principal and Superintendent
work collaboratively to create the necessary changes
required by the Ministry of Education. We appreciate
your understanding and cooperation as we continue to
meet the needs of our growing school community.
We are very blessed to have Fr. Sean
Lee Lung continue as the pastor at St.
Timothy Church. We look forward to
working with him and we know that he
is strongly committed to the faith and
spiritual development of our students.
We encourage parents to join us especially for our
school masses throughout the year at the school. Our
2014-15 school Liturgical Calendar will be distributed in
the near future. Unfortunately at time of publication of
this newsletter, we were not able to verify the date and
time of our first school mass. We will soon be sending
out a note and emailing parents who receive newsletter
electronically of the date.
email: saint.timothy.parish@bellnet.ca
Mass Times
Attendance Verification
In the interest of your child’s safety, it is very important
to inform us if your child will be late or absent from
school. To record your child’s absence, please call the
school at (519)942-0262. Messages can be left on the
school’s voicemail at any time.
Please leave the following information:
1) Your child’s name
2) Your child’s teacher
3) Reason and duration of absence
Saturday Vigil
5:00pm
Sunday
9:00am & 11:00am
LifeTeen
6:00pm - 1st, 3rd & 5th Sundays of the month
Weekday Masses
Tuesday & Wednesday - 7:00pm
Thursday & Friday - 9:00am
Open House / Barbeque
Night – September 22, 2014
St. Andrew School will be hosting an Open House/BBQ
on Monday, September 22, 2014 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
All parents are invited to come visit the school with
their child(ren). More information is forthcoming.
Student Agenda Planners
The use of the agenda plays a critical role in your child’s
learning. It has been proven that students who maintain
an up to date and accurate agenda are more organized
and ready to learn. We encourage you to check your
children’s agenda daily and also feel free to use the
agenda as a means of communication with your child’s
First Saturday of the Month
10 am Mass
Visitors to the School
Parents, guardians and visitors are required to use the
newly locked main entrance of the school and will be
permitted to enter once verified by Mrs. Wiegert.
(Please see attached letter for information from the
Board). Upon entry, please report to the main office
and sign in prior to visiting anywhere on school grounds
or in the building. Visitors and parents will be given a
Visitor’s tag to wear. This policy ensures student safety.
Together in faith and excellence
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supplemented by letters regarding special events, trips,
religious celebrations, etc.
School Picture Day
Individual student and class pictures
(does not include sibling photos) will be
taken on , September 25 th . Further information will be
forthcoming closer to Picture Day.
Nut Allergies
We have several students who have life
threatening allergies to nuts, sesame seeds
and/or peanuts. We are asking that you help us make
St. Andrew an allergy aware school by refraining from
sending your children with peanut butter or other
products containing nuts or nut oils (i.e., Nutella). If
these students come into contact with anything
containing nuts, nut oils or derivatives, it could be life
threatening. Some students have such a severe allergy
that only the smell of the allergen may cause a reaction.
We ask that you choose an item from our “Suggested
Nut-Free Snack” list (see attached).
Students Being Picked Up
Early From School
If a student is to be released from school early for an
appointment, a note must be sent to the child’s teacher
with a parent/guardian signature. The note should
clearly state who will be picking up the child, if it is
someone other than the parent/guardian. Upon arrival
to the school, parents/guardians are required to report
to the office. Mrs. Wiegert will call for your child to
come to the office. Parents/guardians are asked to stay
in the office until students arrive from their classroom.
Please avoid phone calls during the school day to
release your child. If you are picking up your child at
regular dismissal time, please wait outside at the
appropriate exit area, to avoid disruption of classroom
Extra! Extra! Read All About It!
Newsletters will be sent home with the
youngest or only child in the family at the
beginning of each month throughout the
school year. Newsletters are meant to
serve as a means of keeping strong communication links
between home, school and parish. They will inform you
about various school activities, programs, routines,
reminders and so forth. The newsletters will be
HELP US TO SAVE PAPER AND YOUR TIME!
Over the past two years, we have given
parents/guardians the opportunity to receive our
newsletter electronically each month. We had
approximately 90% of our school community taking
advantage of this initiative. However, due to the new
legislation on CASL(Canada Anti-Spam Legislation) a
form will be going home, asking you to authorize the
school to use your email. With this new Legislation, we
will be not sending out any information on email for
the next few months, until we have the authorization
form returned to the school.
Staying In During Recess
Under ordinary circumstances, if a child is not well
enough to go outside for recess he/she is not well
enough to be in school and should be kept at home. We
have no facilities for children.
The Need for Students Signing
In or Out of School
1. They are late arriving to school in the morning
or afternoon
2. They are being picked up by parents/guardians
for appointments, etc.
IF A STUDENT HAS A NOTE SIGNED AND DATED BY
THEIR PARENT/GUARDIAN INDICATING THE REASON
FOR THEIR LATENESS OR EARLY DISMISSAL, THEY
SHOULD GIVE IT TO THEIR TEACHER TO KEEP ON FILE.
No student is to be dismissed directly from their
classroom by teachers or picked up at the classroom by
parents/guardians, etc. ALL MUST COME TO THE
OFFICE AND SIGN IN OR OUT.
Lunch Drop Off
Please let your child know before coming to school that
you will be bring their lunch to school. You may drop off
your child’s lunch at the lunch table just outside the
main office. Please write their name and teacher. We
will not be calling classrooms during instructional time
to notify students about lunches at the office.
Together in faith and excellence
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Professional Activity Day –
September 12, 2014
There will be no school for students on Friday,
September 12th. Teachers will be involved in school
organizational activities on that day.
Pizza Lunches Are Back!
Please note the first Pizza Day is Tuesday, September
23. Pizza days will be on Tuesday, throughout the
school year. If Bus or schools are cancelled on a
Tuesday, then Pizza day would be on Wednesday.
Please keep watch for order forms coming home with
your child, within the next few weeks.
Student Accident Insurance
As required by the Education Act and the Ministry of
Education, Dufferin-Peel annually provides parents with
information about cost-effective student accident
insurance coverage. Although enrolment is voluntary,
the board strategy encourages parents to take
advantage of the inexpensive insurance coverage,
especially if their child/children participate in sports,
field trips, or, if parents do not have dental insurance
coverage.
Enrolment is required in writing -- there are two options
for enrolment:
1) Complete the traditional form and mail it in
2) Photocopy the form and fax it to Reliable Life at 1905-522-7211 or 1-800-463-KIDS (5437)
Parents alone have the right to insure their children.
Please note that you do not return envelopes to the
school- all forms go directly to the insurance company.
TERRY FOX RUN
On Friday, September 26th, 2014, students and staff will
have an opportunity to remember Terry Fox and his
courageous fight against cancer as well as recognize
October as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
Students will be asked to contribute a toonie for both of
these great causes. Students will participate in a walk,
run or roller blade. This special event will go a long way
to not only raising more money for the causes, but also
for building school spirit. More information will follow
shortly.
Personal Electronic Devices
A personal electronic device (PED) can be
defined as a wireless and/or personal
electronic handheld device such as a cell
phone, walkie-talkie or iPod/MP3 player.
Dufferin-Peel CDSB has acknowledged that
the dignity of the human person, as promoted by the
Catholic Church, may be compromised by the potential
invasion of privacy made possible by the inappropriate
use of PEDs on school premises. The Board also
recognizes that the use of PEDs by students at school
can potentially interfere with learning in the classroom.
In this regard, we are asking students to keep all PEDs
out of sight, turned off and not used within school
premises or during field trips. To prevent the loss or
damage of PEDs, we strongly encourage students to
leave their PEDs at home.
Failure to comply with this policy may result in the
confiscation of the PED. Confiscated PEDs will be kept
in the main office and will be returned upon request of
the parent at the end of the school week.
Student Use of School
Materials
The school will provide your child with materials such as
pens, pencils, workbooks and textbooks. Therefore, it is
not necessary that you purchase any such materials
unless you wish to do so. However, it is important that
children learn to make proper use of these materials
and, with this in mind, your child’s teacher will explain
our expectations. Students will be responsible for
replacing of lost agendas, texts or library books.
QSP
Looking for a favorite Magazine to buy?? Well, QSP is
back again for another year! We will be having our
Kick –Off assembly on Wednesday, September 24. The
Fundraising program will run until October 14.
Together in faith and excellence
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BUS TRANSPORTATION NEWS
Wellington Dufferin Student
Transportation Services is the
organization which administers
transportation for both school
boards in the County of Dufferin.
Their website is:
http://www.stwdsts.ca/ It provides
information to parents about their
child’s bus route, times, and stop
location. You can also find out if there
are any delays or cancellations.
Please note when entering the
website, click student login, and enter your child’s OEN
number as it appears on their report card.
We ask that students get into the habit of waiting at bus
stops at least 5 minutes prior to the scheduled bus
arrival time. It is a parental responsibility to ensure that
Kindergarten and Grade 1 children are met at the bus
stop upon arrival home. Please advise your children that
Safety is of the utmost importance to all of us. if they do
not see a parent or babysitter waiting, they are to
remain on the bus and will be returned safely to school
to be picked up. Just a reminder to all parents and
students that children are assigned to a particular bus
and are not allowed to travel on another bus.
Safety is of the utmost importance to all of us. Thank
you to you and your child(ren) for returning a signed
copy of the St. Andrew School Bus Safety Rules. We
have reviewed these rules and expectations with all our
students, and we greatly appreciate that you took the
time to do so at home as well.
IMPORTANT REMINDER FROM THE PRINCIPAL
According to the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School
Board General Administrative Procedures 318.00
801.00 14.05, Criminal Background Checks (CRC)
including a Vulnerable Sector Police Records Search is
mandatory for all volunteers that will come into
direct and regular contact with students.
Parents/guardians/volunteers who assist, or even of
possibly assisting with the supervision of educational
excursions anytime over the course of the school year
are expected to have completed Criminal Background
Check and Vulnerable Sector Search. Volunteers who
have previously submitted a valid CRC will be
required to complete an Annual Offence Declaration
each September. Please see Mrs. Wiegert for more
information. Please note that the principal is required
to report to the Superintendent of Human Resources
any charges or convictions listed on the Criminal
Background Check or the Offence Declaration.
Examples of volunteer experience requiring
Vulnerable Sector (Criminal Reference Checks):
School Council , class educational excursions (field
trips), local community walks (i.e. to curling rink), inclass support, All Star Reading, coaching (assisting
teacher-coach) , driving athletic team/extra-curricular
members to respective tournaments, Dance-A-Thon,
Play Day, and any activity and/or event that has
direct contact with children. This information has
been shared in previous newsletters but we have had
situations where potential parent volunteers have
not been aware of this information. We certainly
encourage you to be a volunteer but we must follow
new protocol. Thank you for your ongoing support
Kiss ‘n Ride Update
We encourage all parents to use the bus transportation
in place for your children. However, if you choose to
drive your children to school, or pick them up at the end
of the school day, you are reminded to follow the Kiss ‘n
Ride procedures:
• Children remain in the car until the car reaches the
end of the Kiss ‘n Ride lane where a staff member is
• Children cross at the crosswalk when given safe
clearance to do so by the supervisor on duty
• Children should only be dropped off in the Kiss ‘n Ride
lane in the interest of their safety. At no time should
parents drive through the bus loading lanes or drop off
children by the front entrance or kindergarten yard –
this includes dropping off and picking up students
during the day.
• At dismissal students will go directly to the Kiss ‘n Ride
area. Parents are asked to wait in their cars in the Kiss ‘n
Ride Lane. We greatly appreciate your cooperation.
Our School is an Idle-Free Zone
Together in faith and excellence
A reminder that our school is an idlefree zone and we ask that parents turn
off your engines if you are waiting for
your child ten seconds or longer.
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Behaviour Code
For the safety and well being of all students, it is
necessary to have a number of rules and expectations
regarding acceptable behaviour in our school. There are
expectations needed for the classroom, which will be
developed by the students and teacher in each class.
There are also school wide expectations set in the
School Behaviour Code.
The School Behaviour Code is based on the new code
developed by the School Board in response to the
Ministry’s Safe School’s initiative. Students will be
reminded about our behaviour code during the month
of September. We ask that you take the time and read
through the Behaviour Code with your child which is
conveniently located in your child’s agenda.
St. Andrew Catholic
School Council
Nomination forms will be available either on our school
website or a hard copy is available at the main office.
Please note that nominees must:
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1 non-teaching staff member
Principal
A student enrolled at the school who is a child
of a separate school elector (mandatory in
secondary schools; at the discretion of the
principal in consultation with members of the
School Council in elementary schools)
OAPCE
Information is available at our Open House. Please feel
free to ask Mr. LaCute or Mr. Lise any questions.
Medication at School
As a new school year begins, we encourage
all parents to participate in their child’s education and join
our School Council. Our school community is growing, and
we are always looking for new parents to join our dynamic
school council. If you are interested in becoming a
member, please pick up a nomination form, which is
available from our school office or at our Open House.
Return nomination forms to Mr. LaCute. Nominations will
be accepted from September 15th to September 19th,
2014. Further nominations will not be accepted after this
time. Proxy votes are not permitted. If an election is
required it will be held on Monday, September 29th, 2014
at 6:45 p.m. just prior to the first 2014-2015 School Council
meeting.
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Be a parent of a student currently enrolled at St.
Andrew School and be Roman Catholic or married
to a separate school supporter
Absence of two or more meetings without notice
will be grounds for immediate dismissal
Receive no honorarium or personal expenses.
Remain a school council member for one year or
until the first General Meeting in September 2014
The council will consist of:
- Parents of students enrolled in the school
- A community representative who is a member
of a parish in the region served by the school
- 1 teaching staff member
If a child is required to bring medication to school,
procedures relative to the administration of medication
shall only be adopted:
• when requested by the parents/guardian
• when authorized by a physician and
• when medication must be provided during
school hours
If medication must be administered at school, signed
request/authorization forms from the parents and the
supervising physician must be obtained whenever a
prescription is initiated or changed. Please do not send
medication with your child to school without the proper
authorization.
These forms are available in the office. The required
forms and the medication shall be delivered to the
principal or designated person by the parent/guardian.
All medication will be housed in a safe location in the
school office. Medication must not be kept in the child’s
possession (i.e., pocket, back pack etc.) or in the
classroom with the exception of epi-pens and inhalers.
If the child is keeping these items on them, they must
be in a fanny pack or a pouch on them at all times.
Together in faith and excellence
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Ministry of Education
Curriculum Expectations
Parents, you can access your child(ren)’s grade level
curriculum expectations from the Ministry of Education
website. The website is:
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/elementary
/grades.html.
Before/ After School
Child Care Program
Parents, as you are aware, the YMCA
is offering the Before/After School
Child Care Program separately for the
Full Day Kindergarten Program students and the Gr. k-6
students. Spaces are still available. It is the parents’
responsibility to directly contact the day care provider if
you are interested in this child care service. Please call
Rachel Kameka 519-942-3290.
Virtue for September is
…Faith
A Catholic School is an ideal place to practice and
prepare to live a virtuous life. When we demonstrate
these virtues, we are making the presence of God
visible in the world around us.
We are contributing to nurturing a loving, peaceful
environment, free of discrimination and bullying. This
month, we will focus on the virtue of FAITH.
Bullying Prevention Corner
We will be continuing to focus on our multi-year Safe
School Initiative. Please read over the Safe School Policy
that is located in the front pages of the Student
Organizer/Planner.
St. Andrew is a Catholic community that respects and
promotes the uniqueness of all its members. By
following the teachings of Jesus, we pledge to provide
everyone with a safe, caring and peaceful environment,
which ensures the respect and acceptance of all.
Because of these beliefs, bullying will not be tolerated.
The key message for September is "everyone has the
right to be safe at school". Each class will create a set of
behavioural guidelines in the form of a classroom
contract. This activity provides students with an
opportunity to identify and discuss their expectations of
how to appropriately interact with others. When
students feel ownership they tend to assume more
responsibility to follow the established guidelines and
manage their own behaviours. Students learn about
expressing opinions, consensus building and
accountability. A sense of safety is established in
knowing that all students have agreed to follow the
contract. By posting the contract in the classroom and
referring to it throughout the year, peer accountability
for behaviour management is encouraged.
Tips for parents:
 Talk with your children about the contract
 Ask them which statements they like the most
and which ones they think will be most difficult
 Discuss behavioural expectations within your
own family and the values or beliefs upon which
these are based
Upcoming Dates
September 2014
•Sept.2 - Welcome Back!
• Sept.11-Catholic Leadership Retreat at Mt.Alverno
• Sept.12 - P.A. Day - no school for students
•Sept.15 to 19- CSC Nominations Information in Office
• Sept.22 - Open House/Curriculum Night
•Sept.23- Pizza Day
•Sept.24- QSP Assembly
• Sept.25- Picture Day
•Sept.26 - Terry Fox run
• Sept.29 - Catholic School Council Meeting
Attachments
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2014-2015 School Year Calendar
Student Accident Insurance
St. Andrew Bus Safety Rules
CASL form
September - Everyone Has the Right to be
Safe at School.
Together in faith and excellence
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Please follow us on Twitter at @StAndrewSchool
Homework Policy
Following consultation with system stakeholders, a Dufferin-Peel homework policy document (Kindergarten to Grade
12) was recently adopted to foster consistency across the board in this area.
The new policy document addresses the following:
 definition of homework
 characteristics of effective homework
 types of commonly assigned homework
 timing and quantity of homework
 general and specific procedures
 reporting of homework
 roles and responsibilities of administrators, teachers, students, and families.
The homework policy may be viewed in full at dpcdsb.org/homework
Below are some helpful Be’s to support families in the homework process:
Be positive.
Communicate a positive attitude towards homework.
Be consistent.
Develop a homework routine that includes a set time and a regular space for
completing homework, free from distractions.
Be available.
Encourage independent work on the part of your child, but be available for
assistance. Provide guidance, not answers.
Be attentive.
Take a few minutes every day to chat about the school day. Listen attentively to
your child as this may alert you to any academic difficulties, bullying situations or
concerns about emotional well-being.
Be a role model.
Let your child see you reading, writing, and using math during homework time.
Be a cheerleader.
Praise your child for the effort displayed in completing homework.
Be observant.
Be involved
Note any signs of frustration that your child may display while completing
homework. If it appears difficult or confusing or if there are errors, encourage
your child to ask the teacher for help at school the next day. Follow up with the
teacher, if necessary.
Participate in school functions that offer you the opportunity to stay connected to
your child’s learning. Contact your child’s teacher if you have concerns about
your child’s homework.
Together in faith and excellence
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Catholic Graduate Expectations
When a child graduates from any Dufferin-Peel Catholic school, he/she has been taught a number of things that reflect
their learning as a Catholic school student. Here is a list of qualities that your child will achieve and work towards
throughout the school year and throughout the rest of their lives:
I AM A BELIEVER!
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I believe that God is an awesome God
I believe and have faith in God
I believe that God is with us always
I believe that we can talk to God anytime and anywhere, through prayer
I believe in the stories of the Bible
I believe in the stories of Jesus' life, death and resurrection
I believe in the Church community, celebrating Mass, and the seven Sacraments
I believe in forgiveness
Because I am a believer, I will live my life like Jesus.
I HAVE A VOICE!
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I speak, write and listen as Jesus would want me to
I care about others and speak up for them
I am honest
I think carefully before I react or speak
I respect all people and their languages
I listen to the Word of God
Because I have a voice, I will use it lovingly, and I will live my life like Jesus.
I HAVE IDEAS!
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I have thoughts and opinions that matter
I make good choices
I have hope for the future
I solve problems with knowledge, understanding and prayer
I know we are all equal and special
Because I have ideas, I have a purpose, and I will live my life like Jesus.
I AM A LEARNER FOR LIFE!
Together in Faith and Excellence
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I use my gifts and talents given to me by God
I always do my best
I build on my strengths and weaknesses
I set goals
I accept change
I am proud of the good things I do
I am thankful for the gifts of others
Because I am a learner for life, I can reach for my dreams, by living my life like Jesus.
I AM A TEAM PLAYER!
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I co-operate with others in all that I do
I value everyone's work
I respect and listen to others
I think of others before myself
I follow rules of fair play
I work hard in school so that I can build my community and make it a better place
Because I am a team player, I know that 'Together is Better', and we will live our lives like Jesus.
I CARE!
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I love God, myself and my family
I care about and respect my 'family' at school, at Church, in the community, and the world
I care about and respect God's creation and everything in it
Because I care, I pray for all my families, and I will live my life like Jesus.
I HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES!
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I am a peace-maker
I am fair
I am forgiving
I follow rules and do my share
I help the poor and care for people in need
I stand up for what is right
I know that all life is precious
I respect and protect the world and all that is in it
Because I accept my responsibilities, I can make a difference, and will live my life like Jesus
Together in Faith and Excellence
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